INCLUSIVE SPORT: A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

‘Get Out Get Active’. Statistics show disabled people to be the least active group in the UK. The ‘Disabled People’s Lifestyle Report’ from September 2013 found that there is clear untapped demand for physical activity and sport within the community with 70 per cent of the people with disabilities surveyed stating they would like to be more active. The report also found that 64 per cent of the people with disabilities surveyed would prefer to take part in sport and physical activity with a mix of people with disabilities and people without disabilities. However at the time of the report only 51 per cent did so. The research highlighted a clear mismatch between people’s preferences and the availability of opportunities. Over 60 per cent of those surveyed claimed that either lack of awareness of opportunities or lack of available opportunities is what prevents them from taking part in sport and physical activity. Get Out Get Active is aimed at addressing these issues.

There is clear untapped demand for physical activity and sport within the community with 70 per cent of the people with disabilities surveyed stating they would like to be more active

Get Out Get Active is a programme to encourage more people with disabilities and people without disabilities to enjoy being active together and has been introduced by a consortium of partners led by the English Federation of Disability Sport. The £4.5m programme will concentrate on ‘fun and inclusive sport activities’ over a period of three years.

As the husband of a T12 paraplegic and somebody who has been involved in disability sport in various roles since 1991, I can relate very strongly to the finding that many people with disabilities want to take part in physical activity with a mix of people with disabilities and people without disabilities.

I can relate very strongly to the finding that many people with disabilities want to take part in physical activity with a mix of people with disabilities and people without disabilities.

My wife, Samanta, is a former no 1 Brazilian wheelchair tennis player and very active but the majority of her current activities are with people without disabilities family and friends. In her wheelchair tennis career, the competition was with other people with disabilities. Outside of the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tour and since retiring the vast majority of Sam’s physical activity, sports is done with people without disabilities.

In her wheelchair tennis career, the competition was with other people with disabilities

As a couple we want to do activities together and this certainly applies to our nieces who don’t see any barriers to the activities that we can do as a group. When planning to go roller skating the question came up as to whether the venue would allow Sam to go round in her wheelchair. The younger niece who must have been 7 at the time said ‘Of course it will be ok as she already has wheels.’ Our nieces love to do activities with us as a group. We cycle, run, push, attend fitness classes, go swimming and play tennis as a family. We take part in these activities in the house, in the garden, in parks, in the countryside, in sports clubs & in leisure centres.

In the words of a 11 year old niece ‘I like the challenge of going on cycling adventures with Sam and solving how we will get over and round obstacles like rough ground, up & down slopes, across narrow bridges over ditches & occasionally up & down steps using teamwork. When we go swimming I don’t notice Sam has a disability. She is such a good swimmer’

‘I like the challenge of going on cycling adventures with Sam and solving how we will get over and round obstacles like rough ground, up & down slopes, across narrow bridges over ditches & occasionally up & down steps using teamwork’

We believe strongly in the benefits of inclusive sport and activity but not just for the physical benefits. Exercise and social interaction are beneficial for the wellbeing of all family members. Exercise & sport for people with disabilities does not have to be in disability specific sessions. People can go for a walk/push with non-disabled family and friends of a similar fitness level. Some people may prefer to participate with people with a similar impairment. Some may want a combination of both complementing time spent with family & friends with time with people with a similar impairment sharing thoughts and ideas. The key is that the person with disabilities is in a position to make choices about the most suitable environment(s) for them to exercise and play sport.

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Mark is an expert in Paralympic disability inclusive sport, sports development & the broader social impact of sport. He is passionate about inclusion, wellbeing, healthy lifestyles & nutrition. Whilst at the International Tennis Federation he traveled to more than 80 countries developing and promoting wheelchair tennis at all levels. He has attended four Paralympic Games & two Olympics. With extensive experience of developing & delivering sports programmes in developing countries he is keen to use his experience to enhance sporting opportunities for disabled people as a freelance consultant. Mark is experienced public speaker having presented at numerous conferences & workshops around the world.